Participation In Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Articles

Trends in cardiac rehabilitation rates among patients admitted for acute heart failure in Japan, 2009-2020.

To describe inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) utilization patterns over time and by subgroups among patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF) in Japan. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a crucial secondary prevention strategy for patients with heart failure. While the number of older patients with AHF continues to rise, trends in inpatient and outpatient CR participation following AHF in Japan have not been described to date. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized for AHF in Japan between April 2008 and December 2020. Using data from the Medical Data Vision database, we measured trends in inpatient and outpatient CR participation following AHF. Descriptive analyses and summary statistics for AHF patients by CR participation status were reported. The analytic cohort included 88,052 patients. Among these patients, 37,810 (42.9%) participated in inpatient and/or outpatient CR. Of those, 36,431 (96.4%) participated in inpatient CR only and 1,277 (3.4%) participated in both inpatient and outpatient CR. Rates of inpatient CR rose more than 6-fold over the study period, from 9% in 2009 to 55% in 2020, whereas rates of outpatient CR were consistently low. The rate of inpatient CR participation among AHF patients in Japan rose dramatically over a 12-year period, whereas outpatient CR following AHF was vastly underutilized. Further study is needed to assess the clinical effectiveness of inpatient CR and to create infrastructure and incentives to support and encourage outpatient CR.

Hospital-Level Variation in Cardiac Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction in Japan During Fiscal Years 2014-2015 Using the National Database.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based medical service for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, its implementation is inadequate. We investigated the provision status and equality of CR by hospitals in Japan using a comprehensive nationwide claims database. Methods and Results: We analyzed data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups in Japan for the period April 2014-March 2016. We identified patients aged ≥20 years with postintervention AMI. We calculated hospital-level proportions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation. The equality of hospital-level proportions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation was evaluated using the Gini coefficient. We included 35,298 patients from 813 hospitals for the analysis of inpatients and 33,328 patients from 799 hospitals for the analysis of outpatients. The median hospital-level proportions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation were 73.3% and 1.8%, respectively. The distribution of inpatient CR participation was bimodal; the Gini coefficients of inpatient and outpatient CR participation were 0.37 and 0.73, respectively. Although there were statistically significant differences in the hospital-level proportion of CR participation for several hospital factors, CR certification status for reimbursement was the only visually evident factor affecting the distribution of CR participation. Conclusions: The distributions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation by hospitals were suboptimal. Further research is warranted to determine future strategies.

Factors Associated With Changes in Objectively Measured Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to clarify factors affecting changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in patients 1 to 3months after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients aged <75years who underwent PCI. MVPA was objectively measured using an accelerometer at 1 and 3months after hospital discharge. Factors associated with increased MVPA (≥150min/wk at 3mo) were analyzed in participants with MVPA < 150minutes per week at 1month. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore variables potentially associated with increasing MVPA, using MVPA ≥ 150minutes per week at 3months as the dependent variable. Factors associated with decreased MVPA (<150min/wk at 3mo) were also analyzed in participants with MVPA ≥ 150minutes per week at 1month. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors of declining MVPA, using MVPA < 150minutes per week at 3months as the dependent variable. We analyzed 577 patients (median age 64y, 13.5% female, and 20.6% acute coronary syndrome). Increased MVPA was significantly associated with participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (odds ratio 3.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-11.0), left main trunk stenosis (13.0; 2.49-68.2), diabetes mellitus (0.42; 0.22-0.81), and hemoglobin (1.47, per 1 SD; 1.09-1.97). Decreased MVPA was significantly associated with depression (0.31; 0.14-0.74) and Self-Efficacy for Walking (0.92, per 1 point; 0.86-0.98). Identifying patient factors associated with changes in MVPA may provide insight into behavioral changes and help with individualized PA promotion.

Multifactorial Effects of Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Heart Failure: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study.

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a strongly recommended therapy, no large study has assessed the effects of outpatient CR in patients with heart failure (HF) in real-world settings. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the multifactorial effects of outpatient CR in patients with HF using a nationwide database. This nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. Patients with acute HF who underwent inpatient CR between April 2014 and March 2020 were included. The association between outpatient CR participation and all-cause mortality, rehospitalisation for HF, use of medical resources, and medical costs was analysed using propensity score matching analysis. Of 250,528 patients, 17,884 (7.1%) underwent outpatient CR. After propensity score matching, the CR (+) group was associated with a reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-0.68, p < 0.001) and rehospitalisation for HF compared to the CR (-) group (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82-0.92, p < 0.001). The proportion of guideline-based medication use for HF at 1 year was higher in the CR (+) group than in the CR (-) group. The total medical costs from the index hospitalisation to 1.5 years after admission were similar between the groups. Outpatient CR participation after discharge from HF was associated with reduced mortality and rehospitalisation for HF without increasing medical costs.

Factors Associated with Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation in Older Patients: A Population-Based Study Using Claims Data from Two Cities in Japan.

Although outpatient cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to be effective, the participation status of older cardiac patients is unclear in real-world settings. We investigated the proportion and associated factors of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation participation among older patients with heart diseases after cardiac intervention. We analyzed data from medical and long-term care insurance claims data from two municipalities in Japan. The data coverage period was between April 2014 and March 2019 in City A and between April 2012 and November 2016 in City B. We identified patients aged ≥65 years with post-operative acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or heart valve disease. We estimated the proportion of cardiac rehabilitation participation and conducted logistic regression to identify factors (age, sex, type of cardiac disease, open-heart surgery, Charlson comorbidity index, long-term care need level, catecholamine use, inpatient cardiac rehabilitation, and hospital volume for cardiac rehabilitation) associated with outpatient cardiac rehabilitation participation. A total of 690 patients were included in this study. The proportion of patients receiving outpatient cardiac rehabilitation was 9.0% overall. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested that men (adjusted OR 3.98; 95% CI 1.69-9.37), acute myocardial infarction (adjusted OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.20-6.36; reference angina pectoris), inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (adjusted OR 17.01; 95% CI 5.33-54.24), and "hospital volume" for cardiac rehabilitation (adjusted OR 4.35; 95% CI 1.14-16.57 for high-volume hospitals; reference low-volume hospital) were independently associated with outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. The participation rate of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation among older post-operative cardiac patients was suboptimal. Further studies are warranted to examine its generalizability and whether a targeted approach to a group of patients who are less likely to receive outpatient cardiac rehabilitation could improve the participation rate.

Cardiac Telerehabilitation - A Solution for Cardiovascular Care in Japan.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a well-known intervention for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, in Japan, the outpatient CR participation rate is estimated to be very low. Cardiac telerehabilitation (CTR) can be defined as a remote CR program using digital health technology to support it. Evidence regarding the use of CTR has been accumulated, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for CTR. Japan has sufficient potential to benefit from CTR because, nationally, digital literacy is high and the infrastructure for telemedicine is developed. To overcome several barriers, evidence of CTR in Japan, well-educated multidisciplinary CTR teams, a good combination of center-based CR and CTR, and sophisticated systems including social insurance and adequate legislation need to be developed immediately. CTR has the potential to increase the low CR participation rate in Japan. CTR also has many different effects that not only cardiologists, but also paramedics who engage in CTR, have to be aware of.

Associations between kidney function and outcomes following cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure

Abstract Background Kidney dysfunction is considered one of the most prevalent comorbidities in patients with heart failure (HF). A combination of HF and kidney dysfunction is associated with peripheral muscle impairment, exercise intolerance, and poor prognosis. Conversely, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for HF patients has been recognized to improve their clinical outcomes. However, the impact of kidney function on responses to CR in patients with HF is still unclear. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the associations between baseline kidney function and outcomes following CR including changes in physical function and prognosis in HF patients. Methods We reviewed a total of 3,727 patients who were admitted for HF treatment and underwent comprehensive CR during hospitalization. In addition to clinical characteristics, we assessed the kidney function using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on serum creatinine level at hospital discharge as baseline. The quadriceps strength (QS) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were measured as muscle strength and functional capacity, respectively, at baseline. We also remeasured these parameter 5 months after hospital discharge in patients who participated in outpatient CR. The association between participation in outpatient CR and composite outcome of all-cause death and/or unplanned readmission were assessed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard models in a subgroup of baseline eGFR. We also compared the changes in QS and 6MWD (ΔQS and Δ6MWD) between the eGFR stages. Results During the median follow-up period of 1.9 years, all-cause death/readmission occurred in 1604 (43.0%) patients, and their rate of incidence was 20.9/100 person-years. Out of studied patients, 1,585 (42.5%) patients participated in outpatient CR that was significantly associated with lower incidences of all-cause clinical events in patients with both eGFR ≥60 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–0.89, P=0.002) and eGFR &amp;lt;60 (adjusted HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78–0.99, P=0.045), but those with an eGFR &amp;lt;60 showed significant interaction between CR participation and adverse clinical events (interaction P&amp;lt;0.035, Figure 1). Among the outpatient CR participants, QS and 6MWD were significantly higher after 5-month CR than those at baseline (P&amp;lt;0.001, respectively), but the low baseline eGFR correlated with low ΔQS and Δ6MWD (trend P&amp;lt;0.001, respectively) even after adjustment for clinical confounding factors (Figure 2). Conclusions Although the outcomes following CR is affected by baseline kidney function, outpatient CR is significantly associated with the positive change in physical function and better prognosis in HF patients with low kidney function. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Association between Big Five Personality Traits and Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation in Japanese Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains underutilised, despite its established clinical benefit. A personality traits assessment may help promote CR implementation, as they are determinants of health-related behaviour. This study aimed to examine the association between the Big Five personality traits and outpatient CR participation in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) after discharge. This retrospective cohort study included 163 patients aged <80 years, who underwent inpatient CR when hospitalised for CVD. The Big Five personality traits (conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness, extraversion, and agreeableness) of each patient were evaluated at discharge, using the Japanese version of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. We examined the relationship of each personality trait with non-participation in outpatient CR and dropout within three months, using logistic regression analysis. Out of 61 patients who initiated the outpatient CR, 29 patients dropped out, leaving us with 32 subjects. The logistic regression analysis results showed that high conscientiousness was associated with non-participation in CR. The primary reason for this was a lack of motivation. Conversely, low conscientiousness and high openness were predictors of dropout. This study suggests that the assessment of the Big Five personality traits, especially conscientiousness and openness, can help improve health communication with patients to promote outpatient CR participation after discharge.

Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Suppresses Deterioration of Renal Function in Patients ≥75 Years of Age With Heart Disease.

This study investigated the effect of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) and physical activity on the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum cystatin C (eGFRcys) in patients with heart disease (HD) aged ≥75 years.Methods and Results:This non-randomized prospective intervention study involved 136 patients (non-OCR group, n=66; OCR group, n=70), 55 of whom were aged ≥75 years (non-OCR group, n=29; OCR group, n=26). Renal function (eGFRcys) was evaluated at discharge and 3 months thereafter. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to assess changes in renal function over time. The hospital readmission rate within 3 months after discharge was also evaluated. LMM analysis showed that the change in eGFRcys was -2.27 and +0.48 mL/min/1.73 m2in the non-OCR and OCR groups, respectively (F=2.960, P=0.022). Further, among patients aged ≥75 years in the non-OCR and OCR groups, the change in eGFRcys was -3.83 and -1.08 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively (F=2.719, P=0.039). The proportion of patients aged ≥75 years who were rehospitalized due to exacerbation of HD was 16.9% (n=10) and 6.7% (n=2) in the non-OCR and OCR groups, respectively. Among patients with HD aged ≥75 years, participation in OCR reduces the decline in renal function and hospital readmission rates.

Current Status and Effect of Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Japan.

Background: Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been reported to be associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases, there are few nationwide studies about CR participation by patients with coronary artery disease in Japan.Methods and Results: We performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan between April 2014 and March 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups (acute coronary syndrome [ACS] and stable coronary artery disease [sCAD]), and the rates of participation in in- and outpatient CR after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were investigated. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed and the association between outpatient CR participation and all-cause mortality 3 months after PCI was examined. Overall, 616,664 patients (ACS, n=202,853; sCAD, n=413,811) were analyzed. The participation rates of CR increased annually. The participation rate was higher for inpatient than outpatient CR in both the ACS (52% vs. 9%, respectively) and sCAD (15% vs. 3%, respectively) groups. Prognosis was better for patients with than without outpatient CR in both the ACS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.59) and sCAD (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.65–0.80) groups.Conclusions: Outpatient CR was associated with a better prognosis in patients with ACS or sCAD. The participation rates of outpatient CR following PCI were extremely low in Japan.

Cardiac rehabilitation in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Predictors of utilization and effects of exercise training

BackgroundTakotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) patients may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation (CR). ObjectivesThe purpose to this study is to examine utilization of CR in TCM. MethodsWe conducted a review of hospitalized TCM patients at Baystate Medical Center between 2010 and 2017. We evaluated rates of referral, enrollment, adherence, and changes in exercise capacity. Predictors of CR utilization were analyzed using t-test, chi-square/odds ratio and multivariable hierarchical modeling when appropriate. ResultsOver 8 years, 35% of 590 patients with TCM were evaluated by phase I (inpatient) and 13.6% enrolled in phase II (outpatient) CR. Inpatient CR evaluation (OR 21, 95% CI 7–64) and cardiac catheterization (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.9–17) were strong predictors of outpatient CR participation. Patients enrolling in CR attended 15±14 sessions and increased their exercise capacity by 1.2 METs (95% CI 0.9–1.5). ConclusionCR is inconsistently used in TCM, despite the potential physiologic benefits of exercise in TCM.

The use of geographical analysis in assessing the impact of patients\u2019 home addresses on their participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation: a prospective cohort study

PurposeGeographical analysis is becoming a powerful tool for evaluating the quality of medical services and acquiring fundamental data for medical decision-making. Using geographical analysis, we evaluated the impact of the distance from patients’ homes to the hospital on their participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR).MethodsAll patients hospitalized for percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular surgery, congestive heart failure, and aortic diseases were advised to participate in an OCR program after discharge. Using the dataset of our cohort study of OCR from 2004 to 2015 (n = 9,019), we used geographical analysis to investigate the impact of the distance from patients’ homes to hospital on their participation in our OCR program.ResultsPatients whose road distance from home to hospital was 0–10 km, 10–20 km, and 20–30 km participated more in OCR than those whose road distance was ≧ 30 km (OR 4.34, 95% CI 3.80–4.96; OR 2.98, 95% CI 2.61–3.40; and OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.61–2.23, respectively). Especially in patients with heart failure, the longer the distance, the lesser the participation rate (P < .001).ConclusionsUsing geographical analysis, we successfully evaluated the factors influencing patients’ participation in OCR. This illustrates the importance of using geographical analysis in future epidemiological and clinical studies.Trial registrationUMIN000028435.

Abstract 13727: Mapping Analysis Clarifies the Correlation Between Distribution of Patient’s Home Address and Participation in Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation

Introduction: Geographical analysis is developing as a powerful tool for evaluating the quality of medical service and acquiring the fundamental data for medical decision-making. Using a geographical analysis, we can evaluate the impact of the distance from patient’s home to the hospital on the participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods: All patients hospitalized for percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular surgery, congestive heart failure and aortic diseases were recommended to participate in outpatient-CR program after discharge. In the dataset of prospective cohort study of CR from 2004 to 2015 (n=9,019), we investigated the impact of the distance from patient’s home to hospital on the participation in outpatient-CR program using the geographical analysis. Results: The total participation rate of outpatient-CR was 47% in our study population. The participation rate of outpatient-CR was highest (62%) in patients with road distance from home to hospital &lt; 10 km as compared with those with road distance of 10-20 km, 20-30 km and &gt;30km to hospital (51%, 39%, and 23%, respectively, p&lt;0.001). Patients whose road distance from home to hospital was &lt; 30 km more participated in outpatient-CR as compared with patients whose road distance was ≧30 km (Odds ratio 4.41, 95%CI 3.86 - 5.04). Expecially in patients with heart failure, the longer distance-the less participation rate relationship was menifest (p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: Using the geographical analysis, we could successfully evaluate the impact of road distance from patient’s home to hospital on the participation in outpatient-CR after discharge in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Especially in patients with heart failure, “the longer distance, the less participation” relationship was manifest. This geographical analysis will provide us with essential information for future epidemiological and clinical studies as well as medical decision-making, improving the healthcare service.

Multidisciplinary Cardiac Rehabilitation and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients With Heart Failure.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves health-related quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF). However, CR efficacy in patients with HF who are elderly, frail, or have HF with preserved ejection fraction remains unclear. We examined whether participation in multidisciplinary outpatient CR is associated with long-term survival and rehospitalization in patients with HF, with subgroup analysis by age, sex, comorbidities, frailty, and HF with preserved ejection fraction. This multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed in patients hospitalized for acute HF at 15 hospitals in Japan, 2007 to 2016. The primary outcome (composite of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization after discharge) and secondary outcomes (all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization) were analyzed in outpatient CR program participants versus nonparticipants. Of the 3277 patients, 26% (862) participated in outpatient CR. After propensity matching for potential confounders, 1592 patients were included (n=796 pairs), of which 511 had composite outcomes (223 [14%] all-cause deaths and 392 [25%] HF rehospitalizations, median 2.4-year follow-up). Hazard ratios associated with CR participation were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.65-0.92) for composite outcome, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.51-0.87) for all-cause mortality, and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.67-0.99) for HF-related rehospitalization. CR participation was also associated with numerically lower rates of composite outcome in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction or frail patients. Outpatient CR participation was associated with substantial prognostic benefit in a large HF cohort regardless of age, sex, comorbidities, frailty, and HF with preserved ejection fraction.

P628Association of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation with mortality and morbidities in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background/Introduction Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is commonly recommended for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the survival benefit has recently been contested, especially with no survival benefit having been found in non-Western countries. Purpose To investigate whether outpatient CR, under current real-world clinical practice, is associated with lower mortality and morbidity risks in patients with AMI. Methods The retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2011 to June 2016 (final date of follow-up: July 31, 2016) with a nation-wide administrative database for acute-care hospitals in Japan. Data for 7,411 patients were analyzed, with 5,654 fulfilling the inclusion criteria of being admitted for AMI and receiving both percutaneous coronary intervention and inpatient CR between January 2011 and December 2014. We compared patients who participated in outpatient CR at least once within 180 days of discharge and who did not. To account for measured baseline imbalances between outpatient CR participants and non-participants, 1:1 propensity-score matching was performed. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and recurrence of AMI after the landmark time-point of day 180 after discharge. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, recurrence of AMI, and heart failure. Results Among 5,654 patients (mean [SD] age, 66.8 [12.4] years; 21.2% female; median follow-up period [IQR] 1.44 [0.87 to 2.27] years), 730 (12.9%) received outpatient CR. Of 1,458 propensity-score matched patients, outpatient CR participants did not show a significantly lower risk of the primary outcome than non-participants (1.38 vs. 2.12 per 100 patient-years; hazard ratio [HR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.32 to 1.61]). Similarly, outpatient CR participation was not associated with lower risks of all-cause death (0.68 vs. 1.31 per 100 patient-years; HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.25 to 2.73]), recurrence of AMI (0.69 vs. 0.88 per 100 patient-years; HR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.19 to 1.66]) or heart failure (2.01 vs. 2.06 per 100 patient-years; HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.47 to 1.72]), respectively. Conclusion Among patients with AMI who received percutaneous coronary intervention and inpatient CR, outpatient CR was not associated with lower risks of mortality and morbidities. The survival benefit of outpatient CR should be reaffirmed under current real-world clinical practice, especially in non-Western countries.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Use After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Among patients with coronary artery disease, participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with improved quality of life and reduced rates of readmission and cardiovascular mortality [(1)][1]. For these reasons, CR is recommended in international guidelines [(2,3)][2].

Does outpatient cardiac rehabilitation help patients with acute myocardial infarction quit smoking?

Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) reinforces patients' efforts to quit smoking, but the association between participation in OCR and long-term smoking status after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unknown. We studied hospitalized smokers with confirmed AMI from two multicenter prospective registries (PREMIER, from January 1, 2003, to June 28, 2004, and TRIUMPH, from April 11, 2005, to December 31, 2008) to describe the association of OCR participation with smoking cessation. Eligible patients smoked at least 1 cigarette per day on average in the 30 days prior to enrollment and completed 12-month follow-up (N = 1307). Structured interviews were completed on subjects at baseline and during follow-up. OCR participation and abstinence from smoking within the prior 30-days (30-day point prevalence abstinence, PPA) were self-reported. We constructed a propensity model of OCR participation based on 22 baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and constructed hierarchical modified Poisson regression models of 30-day PPA at 12 months after matching on the propensity for OCR participation (with clinical site treated as a random effect). Seventy-four percent of subjects were referred to OCR at hospital discharge, but only 36% participated during follow-up. At 12-month follow-up, 30-day PPA was 57% in OCR participants, compared to 41% in matched OCR non-participants. Participation in OCR was a significant predictor of 30-day PPA at 12 months (adjusted RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.20–1.57). In conclusion, smokers who participated in OCR were significantly more likely to abstain from smoking 12 months after AMI hospitalization.

Women & Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: Time for a Paradigm Shift

Participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with lower morbidity, mortality and improved quality of life following a cardiac event. Despite substantial growth in our understanding of sex/gender differences in recovery, women continue to be underrepresented in CR programs. We examined the perceptions that influence CR access and uptake in a cohort of women who attended CR and a group of nonattenders.

Exploring the Effect of Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation on Prevention of Short‐term Re‐admission: A Hospital‐based Study in Fukushima, Japan

Objective: This hospital‐based study examined whether outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) prevents cardiac‐related re‐admission within 6 months.Method: Clinical records of Japanese cardiac disease patients who were hospitalized and recommended for cardiac rehabilitation at a general hospital were analyzed by comparing data from 78 outpatient CR (OCR) participants with data from 179 randomly selected non‐participants.Results: OCR significantly prevented cardiac‐related re‐admission (odds ratio: 0.24; 95% confidence interval: 0.06–0.91) after controlling for sex and OCR participation‐associated factors.Conclusion: OCR participation may improve short‐term prognosis. The positive effects of OCR should be promoted to increase participation.

Abstract 19823: Japanese Multicenter Study on the Prognostic Efficacy of Out-patient Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: J-REHAB

Introduction: Although the prognostic efficacy of out-patient cardiac rehabilitation (OPCR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been established in Western countries, it has not been studied in Japan, where both incidence and mortality of CAD are known to be much lower than in Western counties. Methods: To determine the prognostic efficacy of OPCR in Japan, a prospective, controlled, multicenter study of OPCR (J-REHAB) was conducted in 15 hospitals in Japan. A total of 1047 patients hospitalized with cardiac events were prospectively assigned to either OPCR group (n=848) or Non-OPCR group (n=199) according to patient’s preference at the time of hospital discharge. Patients in OPCR group were scheduled to participate in a comprehensive OPCR program for 3 months and Non-OPCR group received usual care. Event-free survivals for cardiac and all-cause death/rehospitalization were assessed according to the initial group assignment and the “prespecified” actual OPCR performance (attendance &gt;=4 times/month and total exercise time &gt;=150 min/week). Results: Patients were followed-up for 416days on average and the follow-up rate was 99.4%. At baseline, patients were 64±11years of age, 85% was male, 58% acute myocardial infarction, with preserved EF (53±13%). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, OPCR group had significantly better event-free survival for cardiac death/rehospitalization (p&lt;0.05) and all-cause death/rehospitalization (p&lt;0.001) than Non-OPCR group. However, after Cox proportional hazard analysis including patient characteristics (underlying heart disease, NYHA class, EF, residual coronary stenosis, heart rate, peak oxygen uptake, and ACE inhibitor/ARB), these differences were no more significant. In contrast, Cox analysis based on prespecified actual OPCR performance (good [n=352], partial [n=321], and poor [n=374]) revealed that good OPCR performance (i.e., active participation) was a potent independent determinant of both cardiac and all-cause event-free survival (both p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: The first Japanese prospective multicenter J-REHAB study has demonstrated that active participation in OPCR is associated with better event-free survival in CAD patients, independent of baseline clinical characteristics.